A Gap in the GAPAn Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

So, here is our clarification: These chickens originated from a producer
that raises birds in accordance with standards set forth by the Global
Animal Partnership…AND they raise birds not in accordance with those
standards. The latter applies to the birds who ended up in a dark, lonely
room without food and water. Good luck figuring out the difference!

Let me back up. Earlier this week, we posted about a cruelty confiscation
involving chickens in Sacramento. More than 200 hens and roosters were left
without food and water, and then rescued by the City of Sacramento Animal
Services. We posted on Facebook imploring our supporters to assist us in
finding placement for the 130 roosters (hens were all placed).

We reported that the chickens originated from a farm that is certified by
Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Program. Subsequently we received an
email from GAP that read, in part:

“The chickens taken into custody by County Animal Care Services earlier
this week from the business at ADDRESS REDACTED were *not* from a Step-rated
farm certified under Global Animal Partnership's 5-Step Animal Welfare
Rating Standards.”

In the interest of honest reporting, we immediately contacted the person
responsible for securing the confiscation of the chickens and verified the
name of the farm from which the birds originated.

Confirmation was received that the birds did in fact come from a producer
that is Step 3 (chickens) and Step 5 (chickens) certified by GAP.

Confused?

We sure were! Either GAP was lying or there was something amiss with the
situation.

Further investigation revealed a gap in the GAP program.

One producer can operate multiple farms and treat birds differently on
each farm.

Let’s say there is a producer called CF Ranch. They own or contract with
20 farms, raising chickens for slaughter. Let’s say five of their farms are
“Step 5” certified by GAP, another 10 are “Step 3” certified, and the rest
are sold to whomever the farmer wants.

The birds on the Step 3 and Step 5 farms must be treated in accordance
with the standards set forth by GAP. The rest of the birds can be de-beaked
and sold to places that starve them for four days and illegally slaughter
them, apparently. Oops!

Let’s also say that on this imaginary CF Ranch’s website, there is no
mention of birds who are not covered by any standards. Instead, their
website is covered with Step 5 this or Step 3 that or “we care deeply about
animal welfare” with a bevy of links to the GAP standards.

Well, then you have a picture of what happened to these chickens.

The farm that sold these birds to an individual who left them without
food and water for four days has at least 16 chicken farms and 6 turkey
farms. Some are certified Step 3 (lower rating), some are Step 5 (the
highest), and apparently some are “Stepless” and do not adhere to any of
GAP’s requirements.

So, here is our clarification: These chickens originated from a producer
that raises birds in accordance with standards set forth by the Global
Animal Partnership…AND they raise birds not in accordance with those
standards. The latter applies to the birds who ended up in a dark, lonely
room without food and water. Good luck figuring out the difference!

Welfare improvements are that – welfare improvements. They are meaningful
in only one context – until we achieve a just, vegan world, improving the
conditions in which farmed animals are treated is necessary. Welfare
improvements are not a solution to ending the exploitation and oppression of
farmed animals. They are tools that should ONLY be employed with a goal of
liberation and eventual non-use of farmed animals. At least that is the
position Animal Place takes.

This is one reason we will not name the farm. Animal exploiters see the
bottom line. It’s money. And even the farms with a strong desire to be less
cruel to nonhumans while they are alive still must make a living. To make a
living off farmed animals requires the death of that animal and both
measurable and immeasurable suffering.

Consumers can help change this by choosing kinder, most just food choices
whenever possible. Animal Place believes that the most just and kind food
choice a person can make is to eliminate animal products from their diet. Go
vegan.

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